Each step is agony. For a match that had only been three minutes, Zack thinks he shouldn't hurt this much, but it was and he does. There's a burning kind of pressure in his shoulder blades the trainer had told him will dissipate with some rest and ice, to call in the morning if he still feels off. He groans and slides his keycard into the slot, relieved when it flashes green on the first try. He stumbles inside, eyes locked on the nearest bed, when a hand comes out of nowhere and rests between his shoulderblades, turning him towards the bathroom. The touch, somehow, distracts him from the pain and he leans into it.
He groans and looks up at Dolph Ziggler, shaking his head. "Bro, I really just want some sleep," he forces out, trying to turn back around.
Dolph, however, holds on. "No, kid, wait," he says softly, guiding Zack into the bathroom and standing behind him as Zack sighs, breathing in the warm, moist air. "A nice, hot bath, all ready for you." Lightly pushing him towards it, Dolph helps him out of his clothes and sits next to the bath as Zack groans and sinks further into the deliciously hot water. "I have to drive to go tape Main Event soon. You can stay here or come with, it's up to you." Dolph is lazily pouring water onto Zack's shoulders and arms, trying to relieve the pain from Rusev's accolade, when Zack turns slowly and releases a breath.
Dolph grins and reaches forward, taking the hint as he massages circles into Zack's skin, melting some of the tension from his muscles. "Better, kid?" Zack is sleepy and slack, only managing a nod, so Dolph gives him a few more minutes in the water before draining it and reaching out to help the protesting broski out of the tub, running a towel over his glistening skin, his hair, everything. "So you're staying?" he asks, guiding him back into the main room. Dolph digs around in their bags before he finds the pink DZ shirt he'd given Zack months ago, pulling it over Zack's head and smoothing it down so he'll be more comfortable.
"No," Zack mumbles, running his hand over the well-worn material. "I'll come with." He lifts his head and offers Dolph a half smile. "Long as i can sleep in the back."
"Sure, kid," Dolph agrees with a relieved smile, running his hands through Zack's hair one last time. "Here." He finds him some sweatpants and his shoes, gives the room one last look to make sure they're both packed up before picking Zack's bag up. "Let's go, then." Zack nods and trudges after him, too sleepy to feel much of anything until he's wrapped up comfortably in the back seat, eyes already fluttering before Dolph puts the keys in the ignition.
It's comfortable and quiet, even when Dolph turns Motley Crue on low and Zack hums under his breath before falling asleep.
